Until then, there may be some questions you’re asking yourself, such as:
Does insurance cover orthodontic treatment?
Depending on your situation and your insurance, all, part, or none of your treatment may be covered. Generally speaking, purely aesthetic treatments are less likely to be covered while treatments aimed at relieving pain or discomfort, or those done to avoid a complication are more likely to be covered. For more questions, contact us or your insurance provider.
Can I finance my orthodontic treatment?
Yes. We offer many payment options, including financing. We can explain all payment options to you when you come in for your first appointment in order to find what works best for you. We will also review your insurance to see if you qualify for any kind of coverage for orthodontic treatment.
What if I don’t want my braces to show?
We certainly understand that many adults would rather not have highly-visible braces for professional or personal reasons. Luckily, there are several options to make braces less conspicuous.
Invisalign™ is the best option for invisible treatment. Not all patients will be candidates for Invisalign™, however, and braces still may be required. We also offer clear braces, which are much harder to notice than traditional metal braces.
Can I still play sports with braces?
Sure! You just might want to be more careful. We strongly recommend that any athlete invest in a good mouth guard. When you have braces, a custom-fitted mouth guard may be the best option in order to protect your teeth and your braces in the most comfortable way. Ask us for more details about custom mouth guards.
Will it be harder to talk or sing with braces?
At first you may find that you sound slightly different, but after a little while you should naturally adjust to what makes you sound different. Most people are able to compensate and sound completely normal after a few weeks.
Can I still play musical instruments?
It will take some getting used to, but eventually you can keep playing brass and woodwind instruments like normal.
How is orthodontic treatment different from other dental ‘fixes’?
Orthodontic treatments like braces and Invisalign™ actually move teeth and align the jaw while other products like veneers and bonding are purely cosmetic. For example, a space between two teeth can appear to be closed with a dental veneer, but with orthodontic treatment, that gap will be physically closed by slowly moving the teeth into position.
Am I too old for braces?
No! Even though it’s common to see kids and teenagers with braces, patients of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment, and it’s no more difficult for adults. In fact, you may find it’s easier to manage braces or Invisalign™ with a “grown up” schedule than it would have been as a kid. Besides, there’s no time like the present to give yourself the smile you’ve always wanted!
What foods should I avoid when I have braces?
Foods that are bad for braces are usually also bad for teeth in general. Hard foods like hard candy or ice have the potential to damage braces and sticky foods like caramel or taffy can be a nightmare to clean from braces. In the same way, these foods are also hard on your teeth and can provide an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, which leads to decay.
How often will I need to come in for adjustments?
This depends on each patient’s individual case, but you will typically come in once every four to six weeks. At these appointments, Dr. Frost will check the progress of your braces treatment at our Creve Coeur office, replace worn-out rubber bands, and make any necessary adjustments. For Invisalign™ patients, new trays are needed at about the same interval.
Please check out our other resources on braces, orthodontics, and Invisalign™, as well as our blog. If you happen to have any more questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment for the best orthodontics in St. Louis, give us a call at (314) 567-1888, come see us at our office in Creve Coeur, or fill out our simple online form.